LIV Golf to ditch 54-hole format and start playing 72 holes?

Is LIV Golf about to switch from 54 to 72 holes?

Some of LIV Golf’s biggest stars suggest 72 holes would be a better solution and CEO Greg Norman has added fuel to the fire…

One of LIV Golf‘s main unique selling points is its format. 54 holes played via a shotgun start was seemingly an attempt to appeal to the modern world’s shorter attention spans, with all the action happening on the course at once, in a much shorter timeframe. But, less than two years since the inaugural LIV Golf event, golf’s breakaway tour may be about to ditch the 54-hole format and join the majority of professional golf in playing 72 holes.

Jon Rahm wants 72 holes on LIV

In the build-up to the Masters, defending champion and recent LIV Golf signee Jon Rahm suggested that LIV should consider ditching its 54-hole format in favor of a traditional four-round format.

“If there ever was a way where LIV could go to 72 holes, I think it would help all of this argument a lot,” said Rahm. “The closer I think we can get LIV Golf to some other things, the better I think it would be for some kind of unification to feed into a world tour or something like that.

“I don’t know if I’m alone in this, but I definitely wouldn’t mind going back to 72 holes.”

Would 72 holes help LIV get World Ranking points?

The fact LIV Golf events are played over 54 holes with no cut has been a major stumbling block in their attempts to be recognized by the Official World Golf Rankings.

Having their players plummet down the world rankings and risk losing their entry into Majors is not a good look for LIV, so it’s no surprise they’re considering Rahm’s suggestion.

Phil Mickelson said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if some or all of LIV events went to 72 [holes].”

LIV Golf CEO & Commissioner Greg Norman’s response

“I think from LIV’s perspective, we’re very open-minded about it, but you’ve got to understand there’s economic impact about putting television on for 72 holes,” said LIV Golf CEO & Commissioner, Greg Norman.

“It’s a great conversation to have. We will continue to have that conversation going forward. But we sit back and say, ‘What value do we get on putting on television on Thursday?’

“How do we build out in the future? How do we get more people to the golf course? Maybe it is Thursday and you allow another 30,000 people coming in on a Thursday…

“There are things that we sit back and look at to see what is the most optimal solution to make this a better and better and better event, and 72 holes is discussed.”

Why Jon Rahm wants 72 holes on LIV

Rahm believes a switch to a traditional format could “help fans trust in LIV a little bit more”.

“In football, European football, you have the Premier League, you have the Spanish League, you have the German League, you have Serie A, you have the Champions League, the Euro Cup, many other things,” said Rahm.

“The one thing I realized is they all play under the same set of rules. While we play under most set of rules, the one key difference is 72 holes.

“The only sport that I see that does it a little bit different to where they play pretty much the same and then the Grand Slams are different is tennis. Even within then, every tournament or every championship sat same set of rules. That’s one of the main reasons why I believe it could help us.”

Talor Gooch isn’t keen

One of LIV Golf’s most successful players, Talor Gooch, is less keen on the idea of switching from 54 to 72 holes.

“Everyone’s talked about World Ranking points and all this stuff, but no one’s talked about what do the fans enjoy more?” said Gooch, who topped the LIV Golf money list in 2023. “People want something that’s going to be more exciting. And I personally think that the 54 holes is more exciting for the fans.

“It’s just funny to me, this arbitrary number of 72. Why is it not 90? Why is it not 108? We just decided to make that number the number, for what reason?”

A necessary compromise for LIV?

Surrendering one of its main differentiating points would be slightly embarrassing for LIV, but if that’s what it takes to get OWGR recognition and to make progress with the partnership agreement between LIV and the PGA Tour, it will almost certainly be a worthwhile move.

What’s in a name?

There’s nothing to stop LIV from changing its format, but it would make the “LIV” name redundant. “LIV” is 54 in Roman numerals. If you’re wondering, 72 in Roman numerals is LXXII, which sounds more like an entry on Elon Musk’s baby name shortlist than a good name for a golf tour.

SUBSCRIBE TO TODAY’S GOLFER: Print and Digital access, discounts and rewards!

About the author

Rob McGarr – Contributing Editor

Rob has been a writer and editor for over 15 years, covering all manner of subjects for leading magazines and websites.

He has previously been Features Editor of Today’s Golfer magazine and Digital Editor of todays-golfer.com, and held roles at FHM, Men’s Running, Golf World, and MAN Magazine.

You can follow him on YouTube where – depending on what day of the week it is – he’ll either be trying his best to get his handicap down to scratch or shoving his clubs in a cupboard, never to be seen again.

Rob is a member at Royal North Devon, England’s oldest golf course, where he plays off a three-handicap.